The counselors, dressed appropriately for the location in green shirts, chatted with the youngsters as they took a break from a busy day of firing arrows, playing kickball and swimming. It was lunch time at Pouch Day Camp.

For most Staten Island high-school teens or college students on break, summer jobs tend to concentrate on ringing up groceries, delivering pizzas or mowing lawns.

But for these 14 counselors, it's about reconnecting with each other, experiencing nature in its finest, and returning to their second home. The money is just a bonus.

A majority of the counselors have multiple summers at the camp on their resumes, making it easy for them to resume the assignment when summer rolls around. The counselors, ages 16 to 20, work approximately 40 hours a week, and serve as guides for the young campers.

Their main duties consist of keeping the children safe while directing them to activity stations throughout the site. At each station is a director, who shows the campers how to properly perform outdoor tasks.

Before the program begins, counselors experience a tough first week together. They must learn to work with one another while, at the same time, caring properly for campers once the season kicks off.

"It's unlike any other camp on the Island. We've all known each other for so long," said Stephanie Kaplan, a Woodrow resident and student at the College of Staten Island. "We do so many things different that no other camps do. We love it so much, why bother going anywhere else (for work)?"

She said being a counselor is a perfect step in achieving her career goal: Teaching.

Caitlyn Borilla, an 18-year-old Westerleigh camp counselor in her fourth summer, is glad to be back.

"It's a break from school and work, and the activities are great," she said, referring to boating, fishing and archery.

In his first year as a member of the staff, camp counselor Alex MacLeod quickly fit in.

"They welcomed me right in; I feel like I'm part of the family," said MacLeod, whose sister Denise is also part of the crew. "We're all friends outside of camp, which makes it easier to work together."

As an Eagle Scout, MacLeod is familiar with Pouch Camp, which is a plus, as counselors must know their way around the immense site.

Amanda Buerkle, 18, of West Brighton, attends SUNY New Paltz, and is a director at the summer camp. Her job duties include carrying out activities with the campers.

"I've been here forever," she said, referring to the place as her second home. "It's great for college students, and it's really nice and peaceful."

The counselors recently teamed up to raise money for the camp at a Staten Island Yankees game at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, and earned $1,000 from a 50/50 raffle fund-raiser.

Program director Roseann Gioia said their jobs aren't easy, and in fact, can sometimes be draining. That's one of the reasons she said that counselors and campers are switched up each week.

"They (the campers) know the weaknesses and strengths and how to push their (the counselors') buttons," said Ms. Gioia, noting that the counselors must have leadership, teamwork and conflict-resolution skills to handle the position.

"Those little guys can wear on you quick," said Gil Schweiger, head ranger. "I trust them. They're all still employed so they must be OK."